February 26, 2026 | 08:38 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Israeli government has declared that it will not pay its dues to the Board of Peace (BoP), which US President Donald Trump claims is intended for rebuilding Gaza and a solution to the conflict.
Israeli Deputy Finance Minister Ze'ev Elkin conveyed the country's position to state television Kan Reshet Bet on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In response, the US agreed and allowed Israel to waive its dues.
As reported by the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) on Sunday, the Israeli government had informed US President Donald Trump that it would not contribute funds to the special Gaza peace council chaired by Trump.
"We will not fund the Board of Peace; there is no reason to. We were attacked." "There is no reason for us to pay for the reconstruction," Elkin said.
Furthermore, Elkin considered this position logical from a domestic security and political perspective.
The decision not to pay was also said to have helped defuse objections from several right-wing cabinet ministers, namely Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who had previously expressed objections to Israel's membership in the forum, which also included countries such as Turkey and Qatar.
Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel in October 2023. Israel then retaliated by launching a massive attack on the Gaza Strip, Palestine.
During the aggression, Israel indiscriminately attacked civilians and civilian objects such as hospitals, schools, places of worship, and refugee camps.
Israeli forces destroyed Gaza, leaving only rubble.
The impact of this aggression was that more than 72,000 people were killed and millions were forced to become refugees, according to a CNN Indonesia report.
During Israel's attacks on Gaza, the US never took a firm stance against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
Returning to the BoP, the US claimed that this organization would restore peace in Gaza. The Board of Peace consists of 27 permanent members and 22 observers.
Through the BoP, Gaza will be reconstructed using funds from its members' contributions.
At the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace last week in Washington, Trump announced the United States would contribute up to US$10 billion (approximately Rp168 trillion) to reconstruct Gaza.
Countries such as Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Morocco, Bahrain, and Qatar would also contribute US$7 billion (approximately Rp118 trillion).
The issue of contributions also came under scrutiny after being included in one of the points of the Board of Peace's charter.
Chapter II, on Membership, states that each Member State shall serve for a term not exceeding three years from the entry into force of the Charter, renewable by the Chair.
This three-year membership period does not apply to Member States that contribute more than US$1,000,000,000 (US$1 billion/approximately Rp17 trillion) in cash to the Board of Peace in the first year of entry into force of this Charter.
Read: EU to Engage Trump's 'Board of Peace' Amid Internal Split
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Hamas Slams Israeli Settlers Over Mosque Arson in West Bank
1 jam lalu
The Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned Israeli settlers who burned down a mosque in the occupied West Bank
Pro-Israel Influencer Withdraws from U.S. Ambassador Post to Malaysia
1 jam lalu
A right-wing influencer known as the "alpha male," Nick Adams, is reported to have lost his position as the U.S. ambassador to Malaysia.
Modi: India Stands with Israel 'With Full Conviction'
4 jam lalu
Indian PM Narendra Modi told lawmakers in Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Wednesday that India stands with Israel "firmly with full conviction."
Journalist Deaths Reach New High in 2025, CPJ Reports
17 jam lalu
A record number of journalists and media workers were killed in 2025 for a second year in a row, the press freedom organization said.
Arab Nations Outraged by U.S. Envoy's Israel Territory Remarks
3 hari lalu
Arab countries on Saturday condemned U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee's claim that Israel has a biblical right to much of the Middle East.
Gaza Residents Skeptical of Trump's Board of Peace Pledges
3 hari lalu
Al Jazeera reported that displaced Palestinians in Gaza are focused on whether the plan will improve daily life, not diplomacy.
Tomorrow's Gold Price Expected to Reach Rp3.052 Million
3 hari lalu
The global gold price closed at US$5,103 per troy ounce on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Israeli Minister Enters Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound During Ramadan
4 hari lalu
Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir entered the area around the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the first Friday of Ramadan.
Israel Says It Hit Hezbollah Sites in Eastern Lebanon
5 hari lalu
The strikes targeted Hezbollah command centers in the Baalbek area, part of eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, the Israeli military said.
Prabowo Claims Gaza Situation Has Improved
5 hari lalu
President Prabowo claims Gaza's food aid is at a multi-year high.
